long week out of office

i spent 3 days of the week at ICPAS doing the corporate taxation course. it's been a good refresher and update for me. taxation has always been a pet subject and it's been my ambition to go into tax consultancy during my school days. however, life doesn't always go the way we want them to..some how i never got around practising tax.. i find the course insightful..and things seem to make alot more practical sense, now that i encounter quite a bit of them in my present work.

it's a good break out of office work..but unfortunately i've been feeling unwell since last week end.. i managed to push myself to run 10km on mon and another 10km yesterday..but today my body succumbed to the cold bug..and i'm now sitted here, after class, typing an entry for my blog, instead of going for a swim at clementi.

let's keep my fingers crossed for now as i hope to recover on time to enjoy the labour day holiday tomorrow. it'll be such a pity if i had to be bed bounded because of cold on a public holiday.

back tracking, i have wanted to blog my thoughts on monday but i missed doing so.. alot of thoughts went through me as i trotted along in the crowd on monday morning. i felt much like an alien out of place; the people around me dressed to kill, while i was like a punk in 3/4 pants and a faded shirt.

working in the prestige central business district of the country demands dressing of certain calibre. there were so many coach clutch bags hovering around, i wondered if all of them are genuine coach.

somehow, i was thankful that having to work in tuas, i don't have to dress in a manner as such. if i'm required to, i'll probably spend a good proportion of my wages on clothes, bags and shoes..leaving little for savings.

on the other hand, i was envious. i wondered when would i get to be a part of this clan of working class. dressing well indeed would boost one's confidence by a whole lot..and being able to work in shenton way would probably mean i'm an employee of a pretty reputable company. well, of course i must hold a decent position in the reputable company to hold the need to dress well to work each day.

wow. imagine that. tricia and her power suit dream again.

i think the fever has burnt my brain a little.

goodbye ct

Yesterday was ct’s last day with us. I’m pretty reluctant to see her go as she’s a nice supervisor who has given everyone in the department a fair chance to learn and undertake new challenges. She is one person who has excellent personal relation skills..but somehow, something along the way must have gone a little off course causing her to leave. I’m getting used to not having her around to guide me. It’s not easy as I am still not totally versed with the work she has handed over to me. I guess things just need to be learnt, just like rules.

In a week’s time, a new financial controller will take over. This leaves many of us wondering what other changes that may come with. What kind of person will she be like? Will she implement a lot of changes which we have to work and adapt to? I can only tell myself that I’ve got to stay optimistic and ensure the rest of the team remains united.

rules rules

I spent the weekend understanding the meaning of being rich and affluent. As I stood there waiting for time to go by, I observed the people that came and went through the aisle.

Every game has its rules; some of them a pain in the neck, some of them a little easier to adhere to. No matter what rule it is, like it or not, you either play according to it or you’ll be kicked out of the game. I was pretty appalled how restrictive the rules were but I reckon it’s just a matter of getting used to.

if only money grew on trees

I’ve been surveying for the air tickets and stuff for the planned Melbourne trip.. as we were considering the possibility of doing the Gold Coast marathon instead, hence I was comparing the prices.

Lo and BEHOLD!! thanks for the soaring fuel prices, to fly to Melbourne or Gold Coast would cost at least $1k per person. Just on air travel alone, that’ll set us back a good $3k. that’s really crazy. I had been under the impression that air tics are in the $600+ range. I guess that was the outdated rate, 3-5 years ago.

It’s really disheartening to know how little my bonus can cover.. and just for us to go on a trip, it’ll really require quite a substantial budget.

Talking about budget, budget airlines aren’t that budget after all. Perhaps what it means is that it’s meant for people with a decent budget.

Flying to Melbourne via jetstar is $1.3k while via Qantas (which is NOT a budget airline) would only cost $1.1k. and the funny thing, if I can get 1 more person to fly, getting a package to fly with SIA (mind you, SIA leh), only cost $1,087 per person.

I think budget airlines better rethink the whole concept of what they mean by budget.

On one hand I frankly do not have that big a budget to bring us all to Melbourne and have a good time (don’t have to stay in budget hotels). But on the other hand I don’t want to disappoint my family as we’ve been talking so much about it.

Now that I think about it, my colleague’s idea of going to a beach in Malaysia is a wise way to get a relaxing holiday without burning a hole in the pocket.

I can virtually see my dollar shrinking in light of inflation.

Dearie suggested we swim to Australia. Not too bad an idea. Just that mum we’ve got to put on a buoy and drag along. If we can do that, we can probably top Kapas Marang next year.

The feeling is likened to being run over by a car driven by the rocketing prices of commodities. Even going for a holiday is becoming such a woe to plan for. Now having a clearer pictures of how much it would actually cost, I probably might need to save up for a year more.

I have all reasons to be envious of those who get to fly all over. It’s now becoming a luxury good to fly, mind you.

In aid of my shallow pocket issue, I’m habouring intentions to bury my money in the pot of soil and hope a little tree springs up with more money on its branches.

Yea, tricia’s fat hope: if only money grew on trees.

cool in shades

have you seen how cool we looked in shades recently? =P dearie wears his briko and i'm with my rudy project.=D

personalised fridge

dearie bought pretty fridge magnets and we have a personalised fridge!! =)

the real red gem

dearie said that the earlier photo isn't mine..so i've uploaded the authentic red gem. heh.. it even has "billy & tricia" engraved at the back. so it's the one and only one!!

the slacker speaks

Jaszy is giving up her slot for sundown marathon..and I am taking it up. wow. i better be doing more mileage because it’s only 6 weeks away. Dearie will be pacing with me.. so that makes the whole journey a lot more fun!

It’s been raining a lot these days and it’s really spoiling my training plans. The humidity and all can really make training tough. Hot, humid, sticky and breathlessness.

I’ve got today to finish 2 reports, 1 reconciliation and 1 investigation to do. honestly, my brain isn’t working much today. Hehe.

Managed to get myself out of bed to do a much needed spin. Though I only got to spin for 30mins, that was a good effort. I’ve slacked on my spinning because it can really get boring spinning on the spot for an hour. Then again, I have to confess, it’s not just spinning I’ve slacked on, I’ve been slacking for everything. =S

bee lan and sook sun treated us all to pizza yesterday. i ate 2.5 slices for dinner yesterday. wa lao. damn fattening. good thing i made up a bit with 3 loops of underground run and 5km chancery run with dearie and thomas.

i really got to run alot more than what i am doing now. if not how to survive the sundown as well as the x-country marathons?

the slacker speaks. eats. and resolves to start running.

little red gem

i received the 1st part of bday gift from dearie. it's a pretty red shuffle. i call it the little red gem.

8km couples run

Wow wee junior juice! We did a 39:30 for the 8km couple’s run. Dearie says it’s lesser than 8km la. But I’m just happy we did better than what we had targeted for: 45mins. =)

i let go to behold

Time and experience changes us. Our values change, beliefs change and perspective change.

Not too long ago, I thought all I wanted was to put in more hours to work, so as to earn more. Having picked up a part time job through the weekend, I reaped a humble sum of money for the effort I had put in. Nonetheless, in the recent year, dearie opened my eyes to the other things worth my “investment” of time too.

What differs is: these investments do not reap an immediate pay cheque at every month end.

What’s similar: they require me to put in constant hours and it’s a commitment, like a job.

These investments call for discipline and a relentless effort to learn. I must continue to look for areas I have to fill and keep my head up when navigating through the labyrinth of unknown seems daunting.

In return, I will reap a progression in career which would often come with a more attractive pay package. Granted an increase inflow of monetary gain, I will have greater financial liberty.

With all my 2 hands can hold, I have loosened my grip on one lasso – my part time job. It is through the letting go that I can now grasp another – learning.

I gave up what is immediate to pursue that which is long term. Apart from that, I gain some time to train more!

As I envisage an ideal Sunday.......

Morning: bike training+brick run / Inline skating / join a training group?

Late morning: have a good breakfast and 1-2hours of rest

Noon: Go NLB to research, read materials, do research

Evening: Have dinner with mummy

Rest early to get ready for work on Monday.

Saturday

Morning: Catch an early swim

Learn inline skating! (for apr-may)

Noon-evening: Go shopping with mum/ do research

all that to behold. life will never be the same again.=)

climb on, tricia

A quick recap on the week gone past

28 march 08

I had a dreary day especially with the rain and all. I dragged myself to jurong west sports hall but I couldn’t find enough energy to step foot into the gym. Lugging the heavy bag of books, clothes and shoes, I slugged to the library. After book-dropping the burden away, I met dearie who gave me a comforting hug which made the depression go away.

29 march 08

We went back to segamat early in the morning but still found ourselves stuck in the jam for an hour. Like ling put it, “mas selamat is indeed a legend”. Look at all the inconvenience he has brought to our lives. Argh!!

We ate through the weekend till 30 march and found our pants have shrunk much in size, although we haven’t put it into the laundry.

Tomb-sweeping brought an element of family togetherness which in its essence to me, was more than paying respect to the deceased but a chance for family to come together and do something as one. I enjoyed it and we’re still hoping the “lucky numbers” we’ve conjured out of the event would bring us some luck. Haha. Wait for this evening! Keeping our fingers crossed.

01 april 08

I had a bad flare up of skin allergy in the morning. I had patches of red all over my forehead and cheeks. I was tearing as I looked at my horrid face. Good thing I was given a jab and it all subsided.

02 april 08

Had a brief talk with ct and was told of the promotion of everyone in the department. I kind of feel like the only one left behind but I guess there’s no other position I can promote to, except the accountant position which I am far from eligible of. So I guess I’ll stay status quo, work for my degree, do whatever courses I need to equip myself with and make sure the next jump from here would be to an accountant position. I give myself 3 years and I’m through with 1 year already. 2 more years to go. hang on tricia. I’ve got dream and ambition, so let these drive me on.

It’s alright, tricia. Just fight on. I suddenly feel the urgent press for myself to acquire as much experience and knowledge as possible. I must not stagnate. I must keep going up. Tricia, climb on!

race plan revisited, losing some yet gaining more

we've revisited the race plan earlier made and made some revision to it.

Majority of the races would be running events, with 2 tris and perhaps 1 du.

Races keep training focused and jazz up boring work days.

In an overview, we will be doing 1 race per month, with some runs with groups slotted in as well.

i'm looking forward to having more time to train in the morning on weekends.. working on the weekends from day to night really wears me out and often i'll end up sleeping in because i'm just way too tired to drag myself out for a bike ride. now as i set the part time job aside, i'm hoping to be able to do early morning bike rides, brick runs, join safra running club maybe and still have time to slowly enjoy a good breakfast. best thing is being able to rest through early afternoon then pick up on studies in late noon..and to end off the nice weekend, join my mum for dinner =) that is the ideal which i hope to be working towards.

i lose earning extra savings but i gain time for myself and with my loved ones. it's an exchange. every choice comes with an opportunity cost.

like mum and mr guava both commented, and which i concur, i just have to be a bit more thrifty and i can still save as much, without the part time job.

tricia, you must hang on. =)

waiting and thinking

Going in hand with the 2008 budget, those pursuing undergraduate studies will now receive more subsidy than before. I checked out unisim website and read that students can receive up to 40% subsidy on tuition fees. Wow. I would really love to utilize that substantial subsidy the government is offering; I would love to experience varsity education as well. but I guess I’m going to be left off the bandwagon as it’s only available for those pursuing undergraduate studies. Argh. I hope they’ll extend it further to post graduate studies as well.

I don’t think I will give up obu to do a 3years stint with unisim.

Meantime, let’s hope when I eventually get to realize my NTU dream, the subsidy would have reached out to postgraduate studies too.

I’m suddenly pretty free during this 2^nd half of the day, eve of Good Friday holiday. I’m awaiting for the confirmation to come back before I can email it back to HK, I am waiting for the FD to be renewed so that I can pass entries, I am waiting for the POs from Indonesia and hence, that leave me waiting with nothing much on hand to do.

Snaking around, I’m jotting my thoughts now and soon will proceed to forward enquiries to Mr Yong on OBU.

On the happy note, the skies are drying up. There are still occasional showers but it usually doesn’t last the entire day.

Mr Guava said once the trail gets drier (not muddy), we’ll start running macrit. Wee!! I love the idea of it. running off road is a whole lot more fun than tarmac pounding. At least I’ll get to wear those underutilized TNF shoes. Got to quickly wear them off before I can get the Salomons.

My hope is to do the x-country marathon. So I hope weather holds in order to allow training to proceed.

I’ve been considering the link between the motivation factors with accounting. It’s a degree on applied accounting, not simply human resource management. The obvious is how motivated staff, being more involved in the organisation’s business, would unleash profits. But how much of the project should be on the factors? What proportion of it should it be on the effects?

Questions questions questions…. I am a little..lost.

there's truth in this

extracted from a book on human resource management.

it can be so true, isn't it?

if and only if

I think I have Seasonal Affective Disorder. The rain makes me sulk. Being able to run on a dry day is bliss. I will soon become a depressive if the rain does not come to a halt soon.

I haven’t made any good progress in my hill training recently. my best time for yesterday’s hills is 2 seconds slower than my personal best last month. Bleah.

I started on a new workout I found on runner’s world magazine. I’m not expecting it to work miracles on slow-coach tricia, but I would try any methods that’ll keep me running harder.

After much deliberation, I decided to quit the job at RL. There are 3 reasons I would keep staying on and handfuls of reasons I’ll want to leave. After weighing out the opportunity costs, I felt to opt out of the job is the better option. There was already some accumulation of unhappiness through the months and I felt by staying on it would just add on to it. Instead of letting myself become more disgruntle with the situation, I’ll rather bail myself out of it now.

If, and only if (dream on), things could end a good note, I hope I could get that $200 voucher that I thought I should have be entitled to but never gotten. Yati once helped me ask about it but as the pre-requisite was to clock 240hrs in 3 months, I never got close to it. Not even after working there for the past 2yrs+, not even when I have been running with velocity since its founding days. I remember recce runs with Kelvin, Sebastian, Thomas, mr guava and iskandar before we launched velocity. I remember organizing a trail relay challenge, which I managed to gather a small group of velocity runners for a morning of fun at macritchie. so I thought I was a volunteer, but to management, I’m not.

It’s disappointing how the system works some times. i'm tired of being a pawn on it.

Well, i guess the last thing I could get for myself for all the work done is a decent testimonial.

I learnt from my part time work: don’t expect too much, so there won’t be disappointment. The more you hope for, the more disappointed you’ll be when it doesn’t happen. When you expect nothing and something comes along, it’ll be an added surprise.

All I am asking for a testimonial and nothing more, so don’t relinquish the little hope that remains.

shoo rain

I hate rain, most of the time.

I only love the rain when I’ve finished my work, completed my training and I’m ready to jump into bed. The rain makes it cooling for a nice sleep.

Yet, 90% of the time I hate it.

I hate getting my shoes wet and having to wear them on makes my feet cold and damp. I feel like it’s ready to go mouldy already!

The rain makes the atmosphere so humid; it takes eons to dry my laundry.

I hate not being able to train – no running, no swimming and no biking outside. I hate hate hate it.

The cold weather makes one go hungry fast. And in turn, I end up eating more.

No exercise + More food = Fat Tricia

I feel miserable when it rains. I can only stand indoor, look up into the sky and lament, “when is this going to stop?”

Rain, rain, go away!

going on & giving up

I had a shitty task to do yesterday and I confess I grumbled at the start of it.

Why am I doing it?

Shit. So many pages. When am I going to finish?

Can tie or not? So many entries, I make one mistake that’s it. can’t reconcile again.

They didn’t manage to reconcile it last year what.

I whined, I ranted and I had to curb a temper that was flaring from within.

But I peservered.

As mr guava sms-ed me to pacify me, the better part of me gradually took over.

I can do it.

I must tie it.

Who says they can’t do it last year means I can’t do it this year?

Jia you. finishing soon. I can do it by today.

Before I leave work today I must make sure I reconcile this.

With almost 7million worth of transactions, 25+56 pages of listing from both companies and a $300k difference to reconcile, I did it.

Yes, I did it before I left work yesterday. At the stroke of 5pm, I stood up with glee, yes! I reconciled it!

There was a sweet sense of satisfaction, akin to the feeling of crossing the finishing line at the end of a marathon.

I’m just glad I didn’t give up on the task, nor gave up on myself.

Sometimes, it’s that bit of perseverance that makes the difference from going on and giving up.

luck? work harder

christin and i met up for a brainstorm session(obu paper).. it was not just a good time of talking about the project, we shared updates in our lives too..and before we parted for the night, we cheered each other on to press on in life..

i sms-ed her.. "we must work hard for our dreams..because we have dreams, so that hard work is worth it".

i like what i found in my fortune cookie last wk for it reminded me not to lament on not being lucky..but to review on myself whether i've worked hard enough.

"Don't always depend on luck, work harder".

reach for the dream

Dreams. We talked about dreams yesterday.

We dream that one day we would be successful. I dream that one day I would be dorned in a powersuit armed with my laptop and carrying myself with diginity and pride.

I dream one day I would do well enough to get into a varsity. I always feel this is a part of my life I missed out on – to be a part of a large varsity, to study within a campus. I’ve never experienced campus life, I’ve never gone through a convocation nor shook a dean’s hand. I dream one day I can do that.

Amusingly, my dream 2 years ago during this same time of the year was to complete an ironman. My whole body and mind just felt it was a dream I must pursue and I must accomplish in my life time. To my own dismay, I’ve never attained that dream.

Knowing mr guava changed my perspective. I began to ask myself what matters more in life. at the end of the day, I could cross the finishing line of the ironman race but yet still be a nobody in life. doing ironman does not make a nobody turn into somebody. (neither does going to jean yip do that)

What makes a nobody become somebody is how hard ms nobody is going to work and strive. To upgrade myself constantly, to read vivaciously, to learn keenly and to love with no inhabitation. There’s a limitless sky up there to soar on; don’t just be satisfied rolling in the mud pile.

I am telling myself I’m not going to resign stopping where I am now. I must move on and move UP. The desire to learn should be like an interminable thirst that has to be quenched; a flame that has to be fuelled constantly.

The voyage to greater heights can often be peppered with hindrances – treacherous storms and towering waves. Nonetheless, I know when I look over my shoulder, there will be people I love, standing by me all the way.

Knowing the goal makes getting there, a whole lot easier. =) and the process, a whole lot more meaningful.

Reach (Gloria Estefan)

Some dreams live on in time forever
Those dreams, you want with all your heart
And I'll do whatever it takes
Follow through with the promise I made
Put it all on the line
What I hoped for at last would be mine

If I could reach, higher
Just for one moment touch the sky
From that one moment in my life
I'm gonna be stronger
Know that I've tried my very best
I'd put my spirit to the test
If I could reach

Some days are meant to be remembered
Those days we rise above the stars
So I'll go the distance this time
Seeing more the higher I climb
That the more I believe
All the more that this dream will be mine

If I could reach, higher
Just for one moment touch the sky
From that one moment in my life
Im gonna be stronger
Know that Ive tried my very best
Id put my spirit to the test
If I could reach